North Korea Traffic Accident 36 Dead, Mostly Chinese

A traffic accident in North Korea has killed about 32 Chinese tourists and four North Koreans. This was made known by Chinese officials Monday.

Two of the Chinese tourists were badly injured and were in “critical condition” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. China had dispatched a medical team accompanied by diplomats to assist the North Korean side.

The accident was said to have occurred Sunday night in North Hwanghae province, south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.

Footage on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed the mangled wreckage of a bus in the dark with rain falling. Rescue vehicles were on the scene, and the injured were shown being treated in a hospital.

The ministry described the four North Koreans killed as “workers.” North Korea requires that all visitors be accompanied by minder though details on the backgrounds of those killed and injured and the circumstances of the accident were not immediately disclosed as at the time the report was been filed.

Chinese tourists make up the largest number of visitors to North Korea, where they often pay homage at sites related to china’s participation in the war.

There is a serious indications claiming that North Korean roads are often bumpy and poorly maintained. There is usually no lighting other than headlights at night, even on major roads outside of the cities. Drivers tend to travel at whatever speed they feel is safe, making the roads even more dangerous, particularly when the weather is bad. More to come……